CENTER STAGE — Elpidio Magat, Arnulfo Andrade and King Magno are just three of Ballet Manila's danseurs looking to dominate on the world stage. (Photo by ANDREW PAMORADA)

MANILA, Philippine — Friends Arnulfo Andrade, Elpidio Magat, and King Magno had no interest in dancing whatsoever, much less in ballet, when they entered the School of Ballet Manila for a summer workshop. The three were practically forced by their families into it.

But some grand jetes and pirouettes later, the three boys are now considered the most promising danseurs of Ballet Manila, even winning competitions like the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), and performing in shows here and abroad. Their dreams have even gone several notches higher — they want to become principal dancers, to be as successful as their idols Mikhail Baryshnikov of Russia, and Rudy de Dios of Ballet Manila!

“Noong bata ako puro laro lang naman siya sa akin. Hindi ko pa masyadong sineseryoso,” says 18-year-old Arnulfo. “Pero nung natuto na, nagpupursige na ako para makakuha ng magandang roles sa mga performances."

For the boys
Osias Barroso, Ballet Manila artistic associate and ballet master, says there is still a big void for male ballet dancers in the country because ballet is still seen as a female art form. In fact, ballet audiences are also predominantly female, and most boys rule it out from among the serious careers.

“Going back to many years ago, parents opt to enroll only their daughters because classes are so expensive. Hindi mo na mae-enroll ‘yung lalaking anak,” Barroso explains. “Fortunately, there are more who appreciate ballet now because of what Lisa Macuja is doing. Now, we go to schools and make ballet accessible even to the slum areas, unlike before when it was accessible only to the rich and famous.”

Prior to taking ballet classes, Elpidio thought ballet was unmanly. “Pambabae ang ballet, 'yan ang nasa isip ko dati. Pero nung nagtagal, I realized why danseurs are important, it is because ballerinas need partners,’’ he says.

Thus, in an effort to encourage boys to pursue ballet, the School of Ballet Manila launched a scholarship program for aspiring danseurs. But this tipped the balance because at present, the school has more male than female dancers. The school is thus offering scholarships for future ballerinas. Summer workshops at the School of Ballet Manila start on April 5.

Men in tights
What was ironic is that the Ballet Manila school’s very first male dancers were sons of soldiers!

Barroso recalls: “When their fathers learned that they were taking ballet classes, pinalayas sila. It was a typical reaction. Kinausap ko ‘yung mga tatay. I told them bluntly that their sons won’t turn gay because they’re dancing ballet. Pero nung nakapanood sila, ok na. The three of them became our soloists. One is now dancing in Barcelona and is married to a ballerina,” Barroso relates how danseurs continue to fight stereotypes.

To build self-esteem among the danseurs and give them solid physical training, the School of Ballet Manila holds male-only classes.

“It’s really a training for male ballet dancers. Iba kasi ang approach sa mga lalaki, mahirap. They are like athletes, and their focus are the jumps and the turns. Kasi sa lines ng lalaki, it’s graceful if you show your pose in the air. They have to strengthen their backs when they lift. While for girls, their gracefulness is shown through the movements and kapag binubuhat sila ng lalaki,” Barroso explains.

Art ambassadors
As prima ballerina Lisa Macuja’s dancing partner for 16 years, Barroso has seen danseurs come and go. He differentiates danseurs from then and now.

“During my time, since konti lang ang lalaki, they get away with everything. Walang discipline, malaki ang mga ulo, and they even resort to blackmailing to get roles. Since konti lang kami, alam nila na hindi sila maki-kick out. Very few lang ang disciplined boys. But now, with Lisa and me, aside from training them well, we also hone them to be very good human beings, to be professionals.”

But more than being a good ballet dancer, Barroso says that aspiring dancers should also be aware of another important role — as ambassadors for the arts.

“Just like any other ballet dancer, you have to love it. At the same time, we instill in them their role as Filipino artists, their love for the arts. It’s a big responsibility. And I think as these kids grow older, they will begin to understand the situation and how important the arts and their role in the society are,” he ends.